Girls on the Run 5K Presented by EMC Insurance

Girls on the Run 5K Presented by EMC Insurance takes place in Des Moines, Iowa, on November 8, 2026. One distance is on the schedule, a 5K (3.1 miles) starting at 2:00 p.m. The afternoon start is worth noting when you plan your day, since it leaves plenty of time to travel in and eat, but also means running several hours after your usual morning routine.

As the closing event of a Girls on the Run season, this is a celebration as much as a race, and the field reflects that: young participants, running buddies and families covering the distance side by side. If you are accompanying a young runner, let them dictate the pace and be ready to walk stretches of it. Adults treating it as a real 5K should warm up properly, because a 2:00 p.m. start gives your legs no excuse for being stiff.